Former Ards boss takes over at Portadown

Niall Currie has taken over the reins of his hometown club Portadown FC, after leaving Ards along with assistant manager Jay Willis.

Portadown confirmed that Currie had signed an 18-month contract with the club when he was unveiled on Monday evening.

Meanwhile, Ards thanked both outgoing men for their efforts, with Currie having joined them back in 2011.

He won the Championship One title on two occasions with Ards, as well as guiding them to the League Cup final, the Intermediate Cup final and the Steel & Sons Cup final.

A statement added: “The club have received an amount of compensation from Portadown for Currie's services and there will be further discussions between the two clubs.”

First team coach John Bailie takes over as caretaker manager until a successor is appointed.

Currie takes over as Portadown boss after caretaker manager Vinny Arkins stepped aside – he had been in charge in the wake of Pat McGibbon’s resignation in October.

The Shamrock Park side remain adrift at the bottom of the league table after being hit with a 12-point reduction at the start of the season, imposed over financial irregularities.